Sporting made it two wins from two in the league phase of the Champions League with victory at Lens.
After soaking up plenty of pressure from the hosts in the early stages, the Portuguese side snatched the lead in the 22nd minute when Luis Suarez met a low cross from Nestory Irankunda with a first-time flicked finish.
The Colombian striker should have doubled his side’s lead 10 minutes later when he raced through on goal, but his fierce strike was tipped wide by Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser.
Suarez has scored in eight consecutive matches in all competitions this season, and is now Sporting’s all-time leading Champions League marksman with seven.
Lens looked to reassert their control and hit the post through a Franjo Ivanovic drive, but were reminded of Sporting’s threat on the break when Irankunda fired narrowly wide.
The French side continued to push in the second half with 2018 World Cup winner Florian Thauvin orchestrating attacks, but visiting goalkeeper Kaique Pereira showed sharp reflexes to deny Amadou Haidara and ex-Celtic frontman Odsonne Edouard.
Those saves proved key with 16 minutes remaining as summer signing Issa Doumbia ran on to a superb through-ball from Silas Andersen and poked a calm finish past Risser.
Sporting have six points after beating Galatasaray 3-1 last month, and will host LASK in Lisbon in their next Champions League outing on Wednesday, 21 October (20:00 BST).
Lens, who came from behind to beat Slavia Prague in their previous outing, will make the short trip across the Belgian border to face Club Brugge at the same time.
